Portable clamp for elongated tubular articles



1961 w. H. HASENKAMP ,969,701

PORTABLE CLAMP FOR ELONGATED TUBULAR ARTICLES Filed May 16, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 2,969,701 PORTABLE CLAMP FOR ELONGATED TUBULARARTICLES Filed May 16, 1958 W- H- HASENKAMP Jan. 31, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet2 INVENTOR William HHasen/mm v B yaw WW M I ATTORNEYS United States.Patent a PORTABLE CLAMP FOR ELONGATED TUBULAR ARTICLES William H.Hasenkamp, 8977 Hildreth Ave., South Gate, Calif.

Filed May 16, 1958, Ser. No. 735,826

4 Claims. (CI. 81-41) This invention relates to portable clamps forreleaseably holding elongated tubular articles.

In installation of flexible tubing or electric cable, the workman mustfinish the ends of the tubing or cable at the location where theyterminate. For instance, in installing flexible electrical conduits suchas armored cable the workman is required to saw off a few inches of themetal armor to expose the ends of the electrical wires. In many cases,the workman merely holds the end of the cable in one hand and with hisother hand uses a saw to cut around the armor. This type of operation isinefiicient and frequently results in damaging the cable or accidentallyinjuring the workman.

It is an object of this invention to provide a tool which enables aworkman to perform his work efliciently, using both of his hands freelywhile firmly supporting the cable.

It is another objective of this invention to provide a clamp device forreleasably holding elongated tubular articles while some operation isperformed on the end of the article.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a portable devicewhich may be secured to a structural member for releasably holding anelongated tubular article.

In the attainment of these objectives a feature of my invention involvesa clamp device extending from a base plate which may be secured to astructural member. This clamp device includes a pair of jaws adapted tocooperatively enclose an elongated tubular article, one jaw being fixedon an end of the flat plate and the other pivotally connected to theplate and moveable relative to the fixed jaw. An adjustably fulcrumedoperating handle is pivotally connected to the moveable jaw and throughan adjustable fulcrum moves the moveable jaw against the force of aspring to enclose and lock an elongated tubular article of variousdiameters between the pair of jaws. An important aspect of the abovearrangement is the provision of a pivot point for the moveable jaw whichpivot transmits force directly to the clamping device to eliminate orminimize any torsional forces transmitted from the moveable jaw to thebase plate. A series of fulcrum points on one end of the flat plate areemployed to adjust the throw of the moveable jaw elements for differentsizes of pipe and flexible electric cables.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following specifications taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Fig. l is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of my clampdevice;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of my device taken on lines 22of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2 but showing another mode of operation of mydevice; and

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view of my device taken on lines4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a base plate 6 of substantially rigid metal hasa surface adapted to be positioned flush 1 2,969,701 Patented Jan. 31,1961 against a surface of a structural member 5. Extending from baseplate 6 are arms 7 and 8 which partially enclose structural member 5.Arm 8 is provided with an enlargement 9 through which a clamping screw10 is threaded, screw 10 having a rotatable head 11 on its inner end anda lever or handle 12 on its outer end. Base plate 6 is secured to thestructural member by turning lever 12 in a clock-wise direction.

Shank 13 connects arms 7 and 8 and has formed thereon a pivot member 14.Pivot member 14 is lo cated as closely as possible to the base platefastening means to eliminate or minimize any torsional forces whichwould tend to joggle the base plate loose from the structural member.

Moveable jaw 15 is pivoted on pivot 14 formed on a shank 13 extendingbetween arms 7 and 8 and has jaw portions 16 and 17 which cooperate withfixed jaw portions 18 and 19 to hold a flexible conduit or tubing.

In order to limit the degree of opening of the jaw members when openedthere is an extension 20 on the moveable jaw member 15 which projectsaway from the pivot connection 14 and jaw members 16 and 17. Thisextension 20 contacts the base plate (see dotted sketch of Fig. 2) at apoint slightly below shank 13 when the moveable jaw 15 is moved awayfrom the fixed jaw,

An operating handle 21 pivotally connected to the moveable jaw member bya rivet 22 moves moveable jaw member 15 against the force of tensionspring 23 towards the fixed jaw members 18 and 19. Spring member 23 isconnected to the moveable jaw member 15 through an aperture 24 and thebase member through hook 25 and exerts a force tending to pull themoveable jaw away from the fixed jaw.

A rivet 26 pivotally connects a link 27 to the operating handle 21. Theother end of link 27 may be received in one of series of fulcrum points28 or 29 formed on the end of the base plate opposite the end having thefixed jaw portions 18 and 19. Guide members 30 and 31 keep link 27seated on the fulcrum points 28 or 29.

Fulcrum points 28 and 29 change the throw of the moveable jaw member. Asillustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, fulcrum point 29 adapts the clamp for usewith small diameter electric cables such as shown at 31 (Fig. 2) whilefulcrum point 28 adapts the tool for use with a larger size cable suchas shown at 33 (Fig. 3).

Projection 34 on link 27 prevents the latching (or locking) effect ofthe toggle mechanism from losing its effect by preventing pivot point 26from passing out of alignment with the fulcrum point and pivot 22.

In use, the device is secured to any convenient structural member byclamping screw 10 and link 27 is placed in fulcrum point 27 or 28,depending upon the diameter of the flexible conduit. The flexibleconduit is then placed in the space between the fixed and moveable jawportions and operating handle 21 is moved towards the base plate untilthe selected fulcrum point, rivet 26 and rivet 22 are in alignment. Thecable is then securely clamped between the two jaws and ready to beworked on by the workman.

The foregoing description is one embodiment of the invention and it willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications can be made therein without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A portable clamp for holding elongated tubular articles on astructural member comprising a flat base plate having a surface forabutting said structural member, clamp means extending from said baseplate for releasably securing said base plate to said structural member,an article engaging jaw fixed on one end of said base plate, aprojection extending from a surface of said base plate opposite saidclamp means, a pivot formed on said projection, a moveable articleengaging jaw having an extension thereon pivotally connected to saidprojection at said pivot, and an adjustably fulcrumed handle pivotallyconnected to said moveable jaw for moving said moveable jaw toward saidfixed jaw and releasably holding an article therebetween.

2. A tool for holding tubular articles on a structural member comprisinga flat base plate adapted to be positioned flush with a surface of saidstructural member, a fixed jaw on one end of said flat base plate,mounting means extending from said flat plate positioned intermediatethe longitudinal length thereof for releasably securing said base plateto said structural member, a second article engaging jaw pivotallyconnected to said base plate moveable towards said fixed jaw topartially enclose an article therebetween, an adjustably fulcrumedhandle pivotally connected to said second jaw for moving said second jawtowards said fixed jaw and releasably holding an article therebetween,and a spring member extending between said base plate and said secondjaw for moving said second jaw away from said fixed 3. A portable clampfor holding elongated tubular articles on a structural member comprisinga flat base plate having a surface for engagement with the structuralmember, means on said base plate intermediate the ends thereof forreleasably securing said base plate to said structural member, anarticle engaging jaw fixedly mounted on one end of said base plate, aplurality of fulcrum points on the other end of said base plate, saidfulcrum points comprising a plurality of stepped abutments a moveablearticle engaging jaw complementary to said fixed jaw pivotally connectedto said base plate opposite said base plate securing means, an operatinghandle pivotally connected at one end to said moveable jaw, a linkhaving one end pivotally connected to said operating handle intermediatethe ends thereof and having the other end adapted to engage one of saidfulcrum points to cause said moveable jaw to move when said operatinghandle moves towards said base plate in an towards said fixed jawdetermined by which of said plurality of fulcrum points is engaged bysaid link, and a spring member extending between said base plate V j 4and said moveable jaw for moving said moveable jaw away from said fixedjaw.

4. A portable clamp for-holding elongated tubular articles on astructural member comprising a flat base plate having a surface forengagement with the structural member, means on said base plateintermediate the ends thereof for releasably securing said base plate tosaid structural member, an article engaging jaw fixedly mounted on oneend of said base plate, a plurality of fulcrum points on the other endof said base plate, a moveable article engaging jaw complementary tosaid fixed jaw pivotally connected to said base plate opposite said baseplate securing means, an operating handle pivotally connected at one endto said moveable jaw, a link having one end pivotally connected to saidoperating handle intermediate the ends thereof and having the other endadapted to engage one of said fulcrum points to causesaid moveable jawto move when said operating handle moves toward said base plate in anarc towards said fixed jaw a predetermined distance, means bounding saidfulcrum points to prevent said link from leaving said fulcrum points, aspring member extending between said base plate and said moveable jawfor moving said moveable jaw away from said fixed jaw, and meansoperating between said moveable jaw and said fixed jaw to limit themovement of said moveable jaw away from said fixed jaw.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS713,948 Bryant Nov. 18, 1902 940,512 Christensen Nov. 16, 1909 1,035,388Wilson et a1. Aug. 13, 1912 1,225,301 Wolfe May 8, 1917 1,916,556 ButtJuly 4, 1933 2,574,306 Walker Nov. 6, 1951 2,592,803 Heim 1. Apr. 15,1952 2,639,638 Gould May 26, 1953 2,692,520 Hayes Oct. 26, 19542,743,873 Burke May 1, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 743,715 Great Britain Jan.25, 1956

